Breast cancer survivors invited to celebrate at SMH on Oct. 4

“Partners in Hope: Helping a Loved One Cope with Breast Cancer” will be the focus of this year’s Your Bosom Buddies Breast Cancer Survivors Celebration. The free event for breast cancer survivors, their families and friends is set for Thursday, Oct. 4, 6-9 p.m., at South Miami Hospital’s Clarke Education Center, 6200 SW 73 St.

Featured speakers are Willie Ivory, his wife, Andrea, who is a breast cancer survivor and the founder of the Women’s Breast Health Initiative, and breast cancer husband Jeff Zavac. Heroines Choir, a singing group of local breast cancer survivors and their supporters, will open the program.

Close family and friends play an important role in helping those with breast cancer cope with the physical and emotional impact of the disease. Their support is vital during this often-stressful journey.

“I could not have made it through this journey as well as I did without my husband’s constant support,” Andrea Ivory said. “He was the wind beneath my wings. He has a lot that he can share with others about the role of a co-survivor.”

Both Willie Ivory and Jeff Zavac will discuss meaningful ways to help a loved one.

Other speakers at the celebration include Baptist Health breast surgeons Robert Derhagopian, MD; Anna Voltura, MD, and Gladys Giron, MD; cancer specialist Grace Wang, MD, and plastic surgeon Brad Herman, MD. More than 20 community organizations will have displays and exhibits of interest to breast cancer survivors. There also will be music and a light dinner.

The event is free, but space is limited. Reservations are required; call 786-596- 3815.

The celebration is hosted by Your Bosom Buddies Breast Cancer Support Group.

“We began in 1997 as a small event just for our group, but because it was so well received, we expanded it into a much larger community event,” said Linda Burrowes, founder of Your Bosom Buddies.

The support group meets the third Thursday of every month at South Miami Hospital.